Display apparatus



June 2, 1936. c CONN 2,042,508

DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1935 z I 1, INVENTOR- 5 jolgep/i C. Conn @M W QM I I ATTORNEYS Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES DISPLAY APPARATUS Joseph C. Conn, Boonton, N. J.

Application March 19,

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to an improvement in display apparatus. An object thereof has been to provide a device which affords superior visibility of the objects displayed and 5 which is capable of being easily made of durable and appropriate materials.

Known forms of building directory boards, bulletin boards, quotation boards and other devices for similar purposes embody constructions in 0 which suitable markers, representing letters, nu-

merals, etc. are readily applied to and removed from a supporting background member having parallel slots or narrow openings in its exposed surface arranged to receive and retain lugs pro- 5 jecting rearwardly from the markers. It has been found that the textures or other visual characteristics of the various background materials heretofore employed are adapted to supply the contrast necessary to sufficiently accent the markers only in a limited range of light conditions, For example, the markers used in supplying data on quotation boards are in many installations not readily distinguishable from the background when the light source is at certain angles to the board. It has been my purpose,

among others, to provide a background present ing a texture which emphasizes the markers under all conditions of illumination and retains its effectiveness in this respect when exposed to weather out of doors or otherwise subjected to hard usage.

The foregoing objects are realized in display apparatus according to my invention. One embodiment thereof is illustrated in the drawing accompanying the present specification and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation;

Figure 2, a longitudinal section through one of the markers, as B in Figure 1;

Figure 3, a detail in perspective of a portion of a marker holding strip of wire mesh screen or the like;

Figure 4, a transverse section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5, a transverse section, showing a modified construction in which a sheet of screen is bent to form a plurality of connected convolutions and is held in the base by fastening means extending through the screen or threaded through meshes thereof.

The illustrated display device comprises a frame which may include a channel shaped member having a back or web portion I and longitudinally extending flanges 2, the interior surfaces of which are preferably light absorbent,

1935, Serial No. 11,789

transverse end pieces 3, and reinforcing and retaining cross pieces 4. Inner surfaces of the channel may be rendered light absorbent or nonreflecting by a suitable coating of paint or'the like, or by a layer 5 of suitable backing or lining material, as tar paper, felt or the like'secured in the channel against portions of the inner surfaces of the back I and flanges 2, Figure 4.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the information or data to be displayed is represented or indicated on or by markers 6, a common form of which is made of celluloid or other suitable material, as sheet metal. The illustrated markers comprise top portions of any desired conformation and enclosing means such as tabs or arms 1 extending rearwardly and, if desired, slightly outwardly from edge portions thereof.

The frame above mentioned carries between its flanges 2 a background member which provides means for releasably retaining the markers in display position and is of such a character as to make them stand out distinctly and readily visible by contrast with said background in all usual conditions of illumination. For such purpose, I employ a resilient material preferably having portions in convolute form, Figures 4 and 5, and presenting a reticulated surface effect, as netting, screen, or the like of a mesh size and color depending on the intended use. In a preferred embodiment, the background is made up of a sheet H! of screen material bent to form convolutions, Figure 5 or of a plurality of separate pieces or lengths of wire screen, as strips 8, Figures 3 and 4, selvaged on both lateral edges and bent to a substantially U shaped cross section and with the sides flared to provide resilience, so that when the strips are assembled, as in Figure 4, the longitudinal side walls of each will, bear yieldingly against continguous wallsof the next strip. This convolute arrangement of the screen member or members provides in efi ect a background having parallel slots 9 between adjacent convolutions to receive the tabs 1 of the markers which are secured in operative display position by frictional engagement of said tabs 1 between the contiguous but yielding sides of the strips 8 and further, if desired, by the additional friction of outer surfaces of said tabs bearing yieldingly against the sides opposed thereto where the tabs are flared apart for the purpose. As shown in Figure 4, for example, the outer surfaces la and lb bear against the sides 8a .and 8b respectively while the tabs 1 are held firmly between said sides and the opposite sides of contiguous U shaped strips 8.

As shown in Figure 4, the separate convolutions of screen are retained in the base by the cross piece 4. In the modification illustrated in Figure 5, the screen retaining member is shown as a rod or wire I I extending through the screen material and secured to the flanges 2 of the base.

It will be apparent that the exposed portions of strips 8, assembled as above described, or equivalent convolutions, form a background which presentsonly relatively minute and spaced light reflecting surfaces spaced above or from a dull or nonreflecting under surface and have the effect of setting out or emphasizing in strong relief or silhouette the larger and continuous light reflecting surfaces of the markers causingv themto stand out clearly at all angles of illumination.

My improved display device is also superior for many purposes to thosein-which a fabric is.

employed as covering material for a slotted base.

Such material is of course unsuited to outdoor use and quickly deteriorates when exposed; and the nap ofqthe cloth becomes matted or worn even with limited use indoors thus-diminishing; its

background surfaces present relatively large continuous areas and consequently reflect more light than a reticulated or broken surface. Furthermore, the tap gripping surfaces of the screen are irregular as compared to the smooth surfaces of sheet material and therefore engage the anchoring tabs more securely even after long continued use. In addition to the advantages of my apparatus in use, it provides a construction which can be cheaply and quickly assembled in awide variety of sizes and shapes.

I claim- Display apparatus comprising a channel shaped frame having light absorbent surface portions, a plurality-of U shaped marker retainers of wire screen arranged in said frame against said light absorbent surface portions and in laterally compressed relation between the frame flanges, means for holding said retainers in operative position in said frame including a rod extending transversely from flangeto flange thereof'and passing through mesh-openings of. the screen; and markers proe videdwith anchoring lugs extending rearwardly therefrom and adapted. to be releasably}grippedx by and between contiguous retainers;

JOSEPH: (-1. CONN. 

